To be
Yourself
is truly a
Revolutionary
act. EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS
NORRIS FONG
Assistant Merchandising Manager - Versace
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
SHAPED YOU?
Being a minority, it has always put me in situations where I felt different.
It may have been an intentional consequence or in a situation where
I was singled out. Coming into the community at large meeting other
like-minded people that I could empathize with, was and still is such an
affirmation of my identity. I wouldn't be where I am today if not for some
that I've met, and I could definitely say vice-versa. A sense of familiarity,
connection, establishing meaningful relationships are all the things that hold us together, and if you think
about it is not that different to all. If I had to pick a word it would be Empowerment - the experiences
(good, bad and the ugly) have made me stronger than ever to embrace my differences as strength and to live
my truth boldly. "If you can't love yourself, how in the h** you gonna love somebody else?"- Ru Paul
BILLY JOHNSON
Assistant Buyer- WRTW, Men's and Licensee - Michael Kors
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
SHAPED YOU?
Christina Aguilera said it best; "it makes me that much stronger" - you have
to learn to be comfortable enough to live openly and proud, facing prejudice,
but also recognize the privilege that you have to ensure other voices are
heard and uplifted. Feeling like you didn't belong in society whilst growing
up gives you the drive and determination to focus on achieving your own
goals and makes it even more rewarding when you not only achieve those
goals, but aid in helping others in your community achieve theirs.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING OPENLY OUT AND PROUD AT CAPRI?
Growing up there wasn't a lot of representation of LGBTQ+ people in the media and working for a
company where two of our brands were founded by gay men, in a time where the community was suffering
from the AIDS epidemic and working for Capri has given me role models to look up to, learn and grow from.
MARIA SOFIA MONDELLI
VP Licensing and Business Development - Jimmy Choo
Coming out during my early thirties wasn't an easy process. I was confused as
I couldn't understand if my doubts were inherent to my sexuality rather than
my overall education and social status. Coming out was then the solution.
Besides having initially destabilized my entourage I finally had the freedom
to understand who I really was without being limited by boundaries or fear.
Today this is what makes me proud; I am quite a reserved person so can't
really consider myself a loud activist, but my steps still meant a lot within my personal growth so as a
reflection within my friends, family and colleagues. This is probably the best part in being openly out.
Considering the differences, whether there are cultural, religious or sexual the normality and showing
normality as part of your ordinary life.
I understood how the fundamental transition was to feel good with myself. I didn't feel the need of coming
out anymore but simply start talking about myself (besides having lived a hidden story for many years).
Everything got simpler for me and to everyone's eye that embraced my words and magically seemed
relieved by any embarrassment.
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